Wayfair contacted me about doing a fun summer challenge. Some of us bloggers were suppose to recreate a childhood memory but in an updated way that even adults could enjoy. The very first thing I thought of was watching movies outside!
As kids we used to run an extension cord outside and take a small TV/VCR combo outside to watch movies in the backyard. I thought now that I am an adult and have a house of my own, that I could do a little better than that. So we got a projector screen to go with the projector we got a few years ago. We have the 3M Portable Projector
Now I had the perfect setup for a grown up girl’s night out full of treats and a chick flick :)
Since I was making four ( and I love them so much I might make even more!) I wanted them to be as simple as possible but still provide comfy seating.
We went super casual and added a crate as our “side table” and mason jars for the drinks.
And what is a girl’s night without the perfect chick flick?
Like I said before, I wanted these to be as simple as possible in case I ended up making a ton of them. I cut plywood that I had on hand into 24 inch by 18 inch pieces. The cushions were about 17 inches wide so that is why I made them a tiny bit bigger. For every seat you want, cut two boards.
The I primed them with a tinted primer I had on hand. White primer would be fine as well. I primed them because plywood is SO porous and soaks up a lot of paint. I didn’t want to go through a million cans of spray paint.
I used hinges to attach the two boards together. I used two hinges per seat. Thicker plywood is best for this project for the fact that the screws will go all the way through the board if it is too thin.
I had some 1×2 that I cut to fit on the inside of the boards. I cut two pieces per seat. I screwed them onto the inside of the bottom. I then screwed a 5 inch screw all the way through the 1×2 piece. These get pushed into the ground to make sure the seat doesn’t move when you lean back on it. There were four (one on each bottom corner) per seat.
Then I painted the 1×2 piece as well.
Because of the hinge, you can adjust the seat to any height you want. You can sit up or make it open more so you are laying down more.
Does your family ever have outdoor movies? Have you ever thought to do it as a couple’s night? Or a girl’s night? I would love to hear your stories!
*I was given a gift card to buy some of the supplies to recreate the childhood memory but all the ideas and thoughts are mine :)
Darling and so simple. What did you use for your projector?
I did a review of a 3M projector a couple years ago and we love it. It is small and connects to Apple products. It was available exclusivly at Target. I am not sure if that is still the case.
I love this idea!!!!
These are SO MUCH FUN!!!! I love them!
These are seriously adorable!! and such a fun way to have a backyard movie night!!
What a great idea!!! My family and I watch movies outside using a projector and a shower curtain hung on the fence. I never thought of using a screen. Hmmm…. We usually sit in chaise lounge chairs or float in the pool.
Oh my gosh LOVE LOVE LOVE these!! These would be great at the beach too :)
I love that these will be easy to store when I don’t use them! How fun and I have been wanting to do this, thanks for the kick to do it!
Oh my word, how fun is this. I love it.
What a great idea (and such cute chairs)! We’ve never done outdoor movies, but my kids would LOVE them! So many possibilities.
OMG I love this!! I never thought of outdoor movies for adults!!! What a great idea, and I adore the chairs Stacy! Headed to Insta to enter your giveaway! Thanks!
those are perfect!!! We do outdoor theater showings every summer… this is the perfect idea for adults who don’t want to lay down like the kids. Pinned!!
fabulous idea Stacy! I love it!
These are so much fun! Love em!
Love, love, love this! We have movie night outdoors and this DIY IS JUST PERFECT, easy store a-way too. Thanks for sharing!
This is such a great idea! Makes me wish my kids were younger…..not. Now that I have a grandbaby on the way I’ll start plotting for the future!
LOVE these! Amazing idea! They look super comfy!
SUCH a great idea, I love it! We love doing outdoor movies and this is fantastic for that!
These are so, so cool! Great idea!!
Oh this is soooo fun! I have been looking everywhere to get a good deal on a projector because I want to set up an outdoor movie theater for us too for this summer. So far, no dice…But when I do find one, I am making these chairs too! Thanks for sharing!
How fun! Love how these turned out.
I love this idea! Too bad we have so many mosquitoes outdoors! My favorite summer memory is going to sleepaway summer camp! I wish I could still go, but at least now my son attends!
This is such a great idea!! Love the color, too!
Another great idea, Stacy! I love every detail.
Cute setup! We don’t do outdoor movies b/c it’s too hot now – but it’s a great idea for fall!
What an amazing idea, Love it!!!!
So cute!
I love these! I’m going to have to make some for my daughter and son-in-law, the go to a minor league ball park and sit on the lawn all the time! Great idea!!
I am making this..a;ready have a projector and screen…ditching my benches.
Great idea! I will pass this onto my friend in CA who is wanting to set up a backyard theater.
We also do backyard movies. I found a very inexpensive little projector for $100.00 on ebay. I have an old pull down screen from a school yard sale. We put put our plastic Adirondack chairs, make a fire in the fire pit and use coolers to put our feet up. My family loves doing this. We call it our walk-in (instead of drive-in). I love your idea for seats and I may try to make a couple this summer.
STACY! These are ADORABLE! I love them so much!
Love your ideas!!! One question-Where did you order your bench cushions?
Thanks
Ester
I, too, love this idea and would LOVE to know where you found your bench cushions. :)
Thank you SO much!
Libby